Smyrna times., 1887-07-06
The Bad Gang.
a STORY OF THE SOUTH.

STORY OF THE SOUTH.
In Southern State, what the ne
glOes called the " De Bad Gang,". with
headquarters at a crossroads whiskev-
shop, were in the habit of riding oyer
the country nights, committing various
outrages. Finally, they killed an old
negro and others. The negroes be-
came so alarmed that they hid nights
in the swamps. Theneighboring plan
ters and good citizens offered $500 re-
ward for the detection of the GRIM
lnals. But the outrages still con-
tinued. One night a colored bow
overheard them plan to hang colored
preacher who had publicly denounced
them. The boy hurried through the
woods to warn the preacher, and here
we begin the story
Bursting into the cabin Just as the
venerable old man and his wife. Aunt
Fay, were in the act of kneeling for
their evening devotions, he startled
them almost out of their wits by
screaming "Oh, unc, yuh's los
man! De Gangs a-cOmin' to kill YOU.
suah Oh, Oh, unc', unc'!"
Wut's de matter wild yuh. chile p"
cried Aunt Fay, catching Lafe by the
arm. Is you done gone crazy ?"
Oh, Unc' Tobe," " said Lafe. excited
ly, Use done seen dc Gang up de
road-tousans Ob dem! An I beerd
'em say dey was comm hear to hang
yuh Oh, dey's comm, dey's comm
dus back dar!"
"Yuh's suah, chile ?" queried Uncle
Tobe, earnestly.
Lafe.
"Oh, fadder," cried Aunt Fav.
wringing her hands, run to de swamp
fadder, run! Oh, Lordy, sabe us from
dis wicked world Run, fadder, run.
run, run -
The old minister drew himself up.
proudly. Run, an lebe yuh heah to
to be 'bused by de Philistin'? Nebberl
l trus myself in de good Lords hams.
ne sabe all dat AK him propIy. hes
ds pray" and down the trusting old
couple knelt, while Uncle Tobe poured
tortha simple but eloquent appeal for
succor in their present time of need.
Late quietly slipped outside to see if the
Gang were in sight. He had decided
that the best plan would be to run for
the plantation, nearly two miles dis
tant, and give the alarm. A short
wide sack, half full of sweet potatoes.
the donation of Uncle Tobe's former
master, stood beside the door. Lafe
picked it up, carried it to a thicket near
by, and emptied it. "Dey shan't spoil
dem, anyway" thought he. Then he
glanced up at the bright, silvery moon.
and apparently made an important dis
covery, for he suddenly ducked his
woolly head, ran few steps and stood
like statue, fully ten seconds.
"Je-ru-sa-lim r' he slowly eiacu-
lated; stood few moments longer
slapped his hands together, and ex-
claimed softly: Il does itp' His
mouth spread from ear to ear, and he
jumped up and down and turned a
handspring.
Three feet above his head hung the
thing that had inspired his peculiar
antics. Catching up an old stool. L,afe
placed it in position, mounted it. took
out his well worn but sharp pocket
knife, and with the utmost caution and
bated breath cut the thing loose. An
other moment and he had dropped it
into the sack and safely closed the
mouth by twisting it like a rope. Then
he drew his prize into the cabin, closed
the door and bOlted it just as the first
OF the Gang rode up. Uncle Tobe
heard them and quietly arose. "Unc'
lobe" said Lafe, holding to his sack.
"yuh1 JUS lef 'em ter me. take keer
OBJ dem dis time"
No, chile" replied Uncle Tobe. ad.
vancing toward the door, "let me
speak wild EN-"
Go back, go back !" cried Lafe.
frantically waving his hands, and ex-
oitedly rolling his eyes. Don cum
near, dom cum near. Auntie. blow
out de candle. Unc', dom yuh saw one
wud. l done talk wild 'em. done
tell 'em sOmefn'"
Aunt Fay blew out the light, and in
silence and trepidation the three await
ed the coming of the evil-minded rab-
BILE outside.
The Gang dismounted and secured
their horses, then approached the cabin
door in a body.
Uncle TObe !" called out the leader.
"Wut yuh wantP" answered Lafe.
I'VE want old Tobe. Come out Of
thar, TObe; we want ter tackle YER
eah."
"Wut fur yah want Tobe ?" asked
Lafe.
"Open this doah."
"Pse afraid" replied Lafe, unwind
ing the top of the sack.
IF yer don't open it weTl burst II
open fur ye'"
4afe drew out the pin, ierked open
,he door, firted the sack in their faces
md threw it out, then instantly banged
,he door shut again and held it.
A yOlley of terrible oaths, quickly
succeeded by yells of pain and dismay,
this action, and soon there
was regular stampede of both horses
aud men.
"Chile, chile wut yuh gone done Pn
cried Uncle Tobe, apprehensively.
81 done punish de Gang with de
good Lords weepins I" answered Lafe.
triumphantly.
"Wut did yuh done punish 'em wild.
chile ?"
Wild big nes' O. hornets, unc' ~